East Thurrock Utd 2, Aveley 3

AVELEY achieved their greatest moment in their 81-year-old history with a superb comeback to take the Ryman 1 North Championship and the league title in a highly contested final day decider against East Thurrock in front of a strong 845 crowd.
The win was Aveley’s 11th consecutive away win and although the Millers’ took a first half lead the Rocks produced a sterling display to get in front before Aveley took the title in the final 13 minutes.
After a strong first half performance, East Thurrock took control of the tie but a magnificent comeback ensured they took the title.
On a day of high intensity it was the Millers who came out the better with thanks to a great team effort.
James Marrable pulled off some magnificent saves to keep the Millers’ in the title chase and they ultimately proved vital in the final outcome despite his late sending off, and it was down to stand in keeper Glen Golby to produce a sublime save from Max Cornhill’s penalty, the home side’s second of the game.
Let’s not forget the rest of the team who all put in a tremendous effort in achieving the promotion throughout the season.
It was a nervy opening as neither side looked willing to compromise their position so early on in the match.
Of the opening exchanges East Thurrock went closest after only two minutes when Ben Boyce’s free kick was headed goalwards by Max Cornhill but the effort fell agonisingly wide of the post.
But that was as good as it got for the hosts in the first half as the Millers’ looked threatening, especially through the pace of winger Junior Dadson.
The match was held up after a clash of heads between Millers’ skipper Sean Francis and Kris Newby, and it was the latter to come off the worst, having to be stretchered off the pitch, and that incident was to prove vital in the outcome.
And it was a mistake from an attacking home side which led to their downfall.
Matt Lovell gave possession away far too easily and the Millers pounced to launch a quick attack with Matthew Johnson producing an excellent ball through the Rocks’ defence to find Petrit Elbi through on goal with just Richard Wray to beat and he neatly chipped over the on-rushing keeper to give the Millers’ the vital lead.
Come the half time interval and the Millers’ had the vital breakthrough they needed, but everyone sensed there was more drama to come and it definitely didn’t fail to disappoint.
Under pressure to get back into the game the Rocks’ produced their finest spell of the match, and after went close with just three minutes on the clock when Cornhill’s shot from the edge of the area thunderously came back off the crossbar.
And it was only a little later that the Millers’ defence finally buckled.
Cornhill turned provider to play in Steve Harrison just inside the box and he managed to slide the ball past Marrable.
It was now advantage East Thurrock, and it looked even more likely after 63 minutes when after Marrable saved superbly from Ben Boyce’s ferocious volley.
But from the resulting corner the Rocks’ took the lead when leading the 50-goal striker added another to his huge tally by converting from close range.
East Thurrock could have been out of sight with little over quarter of an hour left, as substitute Nicky Wettner, with probably one of his first touches of the game brought down Boyce in the box when referee Tony Moffat, recently back from service in Afghanistan had no choice but to point to spot.
Missing their normal penalty taker Kris Newby after the first half incident, Tuohy stepped up but he was denied as Marrable guessed right and kept his team in the match.
The miss lifted the Millers’ and four minutes later they equalised.
Mitch Hahn’s pin-point delivery was met by the head of Richard Ketchell who resoundly headed home to give the visitors’ a glimmer of hope.
Although East Thurrock still topped the table, Rocks’ defender Ray Powell lost his head and lashed out at substitute Sean Thomas and again the referee had no option but to send him off.
The Millers’ continued to attack, needing the win to take the title, and dramatically took the lead with five minutes to go.
Nicky Wettner, making amends for his earlier error found sub Joao Carlos with a delicate ball and the speedy winger delivered into the box, and after several goal attempts Petrit Elbi managed to find some room and squeeze the ball in past Wray.
Kurt Smith was brought on for the hosts along with Lee Williams in a last ditch attempt to save the title, and he played his part in the dying minutes.
Smith gamely chased down a through ball, but Marrable fumbled the ball with the sun in his eyes, allowing Smith a chance on goal but the keeper hauled him down.
Again the referee was spot on, showing the keeper his marching orders, and with all substitutes used Glen Golby took the number 1 jersey.
This time it was Cornhill that stepped up to take the penalty but Golby was able to guess right and save superbly to win the match and the title.
All that was left was for the patched up skipper Sean Francis, to lift the championship aloft, after one nail biting match.
Winning the championship on 96 points and with East Thurrock only a point behind it does seem cruel that both sides will not be guaranteed a place in the Ryman Premier next season.
After a hard and gruelling season, thanks must go to manager Rod Stringer, his management team and all the players for securing their spot in the Millers’ history.
Aveley: James Marrable, Glen Golby, Sam Holloway (Nicky Wettner 72), Matthew Johnson, Richard Ketchell, Sean Francis, Junior Dadson, Gary Skerritt, Petrit Elbi, Neil Richmond (Sean Thomas 60), Mitch Hahn (Joao Carlos 78)
Subs not used: Ryan Doyle, James Hussey (gk)